WEBVTT
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TODAY'S EVENTS
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MAIN HALL:
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SPECIAL FINE ARTS
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PERFORMANCE FOR
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STUDENTS OF
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MODORIKAWA
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HIGH SCHOOL
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This is pretty exciting! I can't believe we get
to watch a play instead of having regular class.
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Yeah, totally...
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Are you okay, Miyaka-chan? You seem down.
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Just tired from a lack of sleep.
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Oh yeah?
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What play are we seeing?
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"Harlot in the Rain."
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It's based on the memoirs of a harlot from the Edo-period
and tells the story of how she fell in love with a samurai.
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What's a "harlot"?
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PERFORMANCE ON: MAY 8TH (FRIDAY)
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STARTING AT 2 PM
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Kinda like a prostitute? That's what I heard, anyway.
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Apparently, even daughters
from affluent warrior and merchant families
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ended up doing work like that
due to problems with their parents.
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HARLOT
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IN THE
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RAIN
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So is that why this one was able to write a memoir?
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You sure know your stuff, Kaoru-chan.
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I got all the deets from him.
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Wait, do you mean...?
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Without further ado, the Kukami Troupe is proud
to present their performance of "Harlot in the Rain."
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"Come, girl. Tell me your name."
The warrior meant to be her future husband asked.
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Their marriage was merely a way for her struggling family
to escape ruin, making women like her nothing but tools.
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"I am the daughter of the samurai class, sir!"
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This aloof reply surely upset him,
for it was akin to insulting his intelligence.
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Thus the marriage talks were scrapped, and with
no other avenues left, their family was brought to ruin.
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Her father was consumed by despair and died,
while her mother just hurled endless spite.
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But no matter.
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Their relationship was never one of passion
or affection in the first place.
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And just like that, no one remained
to call the girl by her name.
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But damned if she had any regrets.
She had already surmised this harsh reality long ago.
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There was no need for her to have a name.
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Good grief! What awful weather.
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You can say that again. I'm drenched.
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Taking cover from the rain here, too, Mister Samurai?
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First time seeing a woman who sells her body, or what?
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Oh, my apologies! I didn't mean to offend you!
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I'm sorry.
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People often say I'm too serious
and formal for my own good.
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Well, I'd say anybody who acts so ceremonial
with prostitutes is definitely on the weird side.
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Is that so?
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Yes, it is.
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Oh...
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Doesn't seem like it'll let up any time soon.
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You mustn't! You'll get wet!
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I already am. Farewell, Mister Samurai.
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H-hold on! Don't go yet!
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Uh, let me introduce myself!
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I am Naotsugu Miura. May I please have your name?
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Harlot.
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I'm just Harlot the harlot.
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Names don't need to be
any more complicated than that, right?
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Her pale skin. Her glistening, raven locks.
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And her smile like a light mist that evaporated
into the night. She looked almost otherworldly.
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This was the first time that Naotsugu
had ever been captivated by a woman.
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Overcome by a sudden fit of shyness,
he looked away ever so briefly,
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and that's when he noticed.
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Wait, that's...
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...my brother?
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Oh...
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It's really him.
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Do you know who that man is?!
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An old fame.
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The year was 1855. It was a night
where a heavy rain covered everything in sight
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in the flourish town of Asakusa.
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Oh, welcome in, Miura-sama.
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Greetings.
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Ah, Jin-dono!
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Things got really bad after we parted last night.
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Huh?
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The rain.
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Ah! Yes, just awful.
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Kake-soba, please.
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Okay. One bowl of kake!
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Comin' up!
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You two were together last night?
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Jin-dono and I went out with Zenji-dono from Sugaya
for some drinks at a little bar in Asakusa.
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My, how nice!
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Except Jin-dono here was like a bottomless pit,
and I end up drinking too much by following his lead.
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Oh dear. Take it easy on him, Jinya-kun.
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I don't recall putting any pressure on you.
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Anyways, it was a fun time!
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But after we left in such high spirits,
that awful rainstorm hit...
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Huh?
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Kake-soba, order up!
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Coming!
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What about you, Jin-dono? I recall you
mentioning going to look for a job after that.
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Yes. I caught wind of an interesting rumor.
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Demons, I assume?
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Very likely. I'm actually going back
to Asakusa again tonight.
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Asakusa...
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As the sun dipped below the horizon,
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Naotsugu departed on a lone trip to Asakusa once again.
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He stood under the same eaves as the night before,
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his heart filled with uncertainty as he waited
for who knows what.
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Sheltering from the rain in spite of your umbrella?
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Harlot-dono.
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"Harlot-dono"? What a strange way to refer to me.
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But that's what you said your name was...
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Fair point.
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What brings you here, Mister Samurai?
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You may call me Naotsugu.
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Oh yeah?
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So, why are you here, Mister Samurai?
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Well, you could say that my interest was piqued.
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You know, by that silhouette we saw last night.
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It's like I told you. He's an old flame.
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Which means that you and he, uh...
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Careful now. It's best not to dig into a woman's history,
even more so if she's a prostitute.
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I'm sorry.
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Jeez. You really are honest to a fault.
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No.
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Because actually...
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I came here for you.
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Really now? Then you should've just said
you wanted to buy me.
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That's not what I mean!
All I wanted was to see you once more.
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My bad. I was only joking with you.
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I'm sorry.
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You really are a strange one.
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I knew it...
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The shadowy figure merely stood there.
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But the shape of its face was one
that Naotsugu could never forget.
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Brother...
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Why now?
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Huh?
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Why show up after all this time?
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"An old flame."
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It seemed those words might refer
to someone other than just a former customer.
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As if to prove this, her voice rung through the air
with affection so deep it could not be hidden.
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And yet, her svelte shoulders were trembling.
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She was... frightened.
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Jinya-kun. Is something bothering you?
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I botched a job last night.
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I had the demon in my sights, but I failed to finish it off.
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Oh dear.
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I'm disappointed in myself.
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Does that mean you're going hunting again tonight?
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The demon apparently only comes out when it rains,
so that depends on the weather.
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Jin-dono!
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Welcome in.
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Jin-dono...
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Actually, I would like for all of you to hear me out.
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Even us?
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I would appreciate your advice.
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You see, the thing is... um...
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I've taken an interest in a woman.
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Hello! Two bowls of kake, please.
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Why's everybody so quiet?
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Well, now!
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Harlot the harlot, eh?
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Seems you had quite the night
after we finished drinking the other day.
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Unlike a certain somebody who couldn't resist
a jaunt through the redlight district.
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Uh, let's stay focused on Naotsugu's story, okay, milady?
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A-anyways, the point is that you want our advice
on how to win this lady's heart.
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Do I have that right?
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Well, I can't deny that I'm smitten with her.
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Hoo-boy! Things are getting spicy!
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So you're genuinely interested?
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Absolutely. I really want
to learn more about her as a person.
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But you're on opposite ends of the social ladder.
What good will that do you?
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I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
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Gosh, you're more of a romantic than I thought.
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I see how it is. Okay, then it's time
for one of my ingenious plans!
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We'll stage it so that this harlot can see Naotsugu
in a good light, then she'll totally fall for him.
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How will that work?
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When she's out trying to attract customers
for the night... bam!
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A bandit attacks her! And she goes, "Eeek!"
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No way.
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Then the gallant Naotsugu appears!
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He unsheathes his blade of cold steel,
bringing the villain down in one swift stroke!
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I said, no!
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But, milady...
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Dull. Cliché. Outdated!
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Besides, I doubt a bandit would show up
with such good timing.
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That's where you come in, bandito.
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Impossible.
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I agree. Especially for these two.
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Hrmm. I thought it was a good idea.
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C'mon, you should help us out here, pops!
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Huh? Well, if you ask me...
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More interaction should be your first order of business.
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Interaction, you say?
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If you want to win someone's heart, then you have to
put in the time and effort. Get to know them personally.
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And more importantly, let them learn all about you.
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I can't guarantee that it will work out in the end,
but there are never any shortcuts to fostering true love.
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By the way, I spent upwards of 20 years doing that
myself, and actually won over the world's best woman.
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I see.
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Good point. I think you're right, sir.
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I will wait for her under the same eaves again tonight.
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Thank you, everyone.
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He really took that to heart.
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I'm seeing you in a new light, pops!
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The older, the wiser. As they say.
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What's wrong, Ofuu? Did I say something to upset you?
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Nothing like that. I just found something
a little strange about Miura-sama's story.
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Strange?
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Miura-sama and Harlot-san met two nights ago
when they both took cover from the rain, right?
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That's what he said.
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And then, Jinya-kun...
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You said a demon that only appears in the rain
escaped from you last night.
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That's right.
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The only problem is,
it didn't rain yesterday or the day before.
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There is a limit to the breadth of knowledge
that people can possess.
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People can only see things that are perceivable.
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Which means so long as we are alive,
all we can truly know is our own story.
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However...
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"Unseen" does not equal "nonexistent."
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We must always keep in mind
there are a subset of things
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that exist in the world even though nobody can see them.
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A sudden downpour hits.
And the same eaves as yesterday serve as cover.
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Although Harlot meant no hostility,
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the words that inadvertently spilled from her mouth
seemed to ring with a certain truth.
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Figures he wouldn't be here today.
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The penetrating cold of the night was undeterred by
the spring season, drudging up memories of long ago.
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She had stooped to becoming a prostitute
in spite of her birth as a member of samurai nobility,
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but she wasn't attached to her former life
enough to have any misgivings.
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Perhaps for one exception. The sole person in her family
who had actually treated her right: her older brother.
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He had once scraped together enough money
to buy her a cuckoo kanzashi,
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but she had no idea where it was now.
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Ki...
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This way...
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She heard his voice calling to her.
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But no. That should have been impossible.
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Because... he was already long gone.
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Dear brother...
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You mustn't go! Harlot-dono!
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Mister Samurai?
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Get a hold of yourself, Harlot-dono!
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Please, you must let me go. He's calling for me.
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What are you talking about?!
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Oh, that's right.
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There's no way he could be here. Not in this place.
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But still...
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Snap out of it! You must realize it's not human!
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No, I know him!
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Your old flame.
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A person who you care deeply for even now.
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That's obvious enough for me to figure out.
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But you're being tricked!
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There are paranormal forces at work here.
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That thing is... a demon!
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What are you doing, Mister Samurai?!
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Abide by morals, exemplify courage, practice
compassion, behave with courtesy, and remain devoted.
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Be like a sword and slay the enemy before you!
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Harlot-dono. I am a samurai.
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And I swear to you upon my blade,
that thing is not the precious person you seek.
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You must believe me. Please!
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Jin-dono!
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Are you okay, Mister Samurai?
19:17.150 --> 19:19.270
Yes. And you, Harlot-dono?
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I'm doing just fine.
19:21.020 --> 19:24.230
You're a lot tougher than you look.
I'm honestly surprised.
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Huh?
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Don't you agree, ronin?
19:27.690 --> 19:28.230
Yes.
19:29.190 --> 19:30.650
No, I didn't actually...
19:35.400 --> 19:39.850
You had me worried when yours hands started shaking
like a leaf after drawing your katana.
19:40.060 --> 19:43.020
That was an intimidation tactic he used
to show the demon he meant business.
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Hold on, do you two know each other?
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Yeah, sorta.
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Do you mean, like, as a customer?
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Yeah, but I'm the customer. I've hired him before.
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Oh, I see.
19:55.350 --> 19:59.440
So, that dark shadow was a demon after all?
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More like feelings of regret
that weren't able to fully manifest as a demon.
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Regret?
20:06.480 --> 20:11.940
The dead often have unfinished business in this world
and their regret can amass into a physical form.
20:12.480 --> 20:18.400
However, that one was incomplete. So it merely
reflected the regrets of those who gazed upon it, instead.
20:19.560 --> 20:22.810
To me it looked like my brother, Sadanaga.
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However, when I began to fear that Harlot-dono
may get abducted, it turned into a mere shadow.
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Regret, eh?
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I thought I'd made a clean break with my past.
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Even so... there are some things we can never let go of.
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Miyaka-chan. Miyaka-chan!
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Hi, sleepyhead.
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Huh?
20:56.600 --> 20:58.400
Crap, I fell asleep...
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Thank you.
21:05.980 --> 21:09.440
You meanie. How could you let me sleep
through the whole thing?
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Hey, I tried to wake you up a bunch of times.
Don't you remember?
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Not at all.
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Don't fret, I'll help you write your report about the play.
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Nice. Looks good to me!
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Thanks, Kaoru-chan!
21:44.850 --> 21:46.400
You're welcome.
21:46.980 --> 21:50.810
But it's a shame you missed out. That play was great.
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Hey! You agree with me, right?
21:53.690 --> 21:56.310
Oh, Asagao... I mean, Azusaya.
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I wish you'd remember my name already!
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Sorry. It's not really a memory problem.
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I just can't help it.
22:04.310 --> 22:07.060
Do I really look that much like your friend?
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Incredibly.
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She was just like a celestial maiden.
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There you go again with your weird comments!
22:14.310 --> 22:17.020
So, hey, was the play really that good?
22:17.350 --> 22:18.310
For the most part.
22:19.190 --> 22:24.400
I thought it was disrespectful how clumsy they made
Naotsugu's ronin friend out to be, though.
22:24.600 --> 22:28.690
It's funny because he rushed in to save them,
but it was Naotsugu who killed the demon in the end.
22:28.900 --> 22:31.650
I get the impression
that Harlot's memoirs were slanderous.
22:32.810 --> 22:34.400
You're blowing it out of proportion!
22:34.560 --> 22:38.230
Harlot was in love with Naotsugu,
so it's only natural she made him the hero.
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C'mon, there were plenty of good parts!
22:41.940 --> 22:44.100
Like the scene after Harlot married Naotsugu,
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where she was sitting with the ronin's daughter
and watching the two of them spar.
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Oh. That's right.
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It sticks out because even though
that's when Harlot realized the ronin was a demon,
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she pretended not to know, right?
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It's so heartwarming!
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Good grief, Harlot really pulled one over on me.
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She never once showed that side of herself openly.
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Right?
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You know, I'm really curious now!
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Crud! Why did I fall asleep?
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If you just want to experience the story, then it's available
in paperback. As part of a short story collection.
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Really?
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I think I'll look for a copy, too.
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Although I'd prefer to read
the original copy of Harlot's memoir.
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You're more interested in that?
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Mostly just to see how the ronin was portrayed.
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Hey, do you have a grudge against Harlot-san or what?